Ether blends via reactive distillation

ABSTRACT

A method for forming a blend of ethers from a blend of alcohols includes a step of reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas to form first product blend. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds. The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided to a reactive distillation station where it is converted a second product blend. The second product blend typically includes a mixture of ethers. An apparatus implementing the method is also provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

In at least one aspect, the present invention relates to methods andequipment for partially oxidizing a hydrocarbon feed gas.

BACKGROUND

Currently, direct homogeneous partial oxidation (DHPO) produces avariety of oxygenates typically consisting of alcohols and aldehydes,and in smaller concentrations carboxylic acids. Conversion of theseliquid products into higher value fuels and chemicals via processintegration is of great interest since process integration permits forcost reduction and therefore applicability at smaller scale.

The presented invention incorporates a gas to chemicals process withalcohol dehydration to produce dimethyl ether or an ether blend whichpresents more favorable properties for use as a diesel fuel substituteand additive. Advantages of process integration include the utilizationof high temperatures and pressures already used by the gas to chemicalsprocess, thus decreasing energy and equipment demands. Integration of areactive distillation column thus facilitates separation of liquidproducts from the gas-to-chemicals process and also synthesizes aproduct of greater value.

Increasing the carbon length of the alkane feed gas is known to producehigher proportions of alcohols, aldehydes and carboxylic acids withcarbon length greater than one. Many of these components have relativevolatilities at standard temperature and pressure similar to that ofwater, complicating separations with conventional techniques.Furthermore, formaldehyde reversibly forms methylene glycol polymersthat can interfere with recovery of high boiling alcohols. Therefore,there exists a need to efficiently separate these components, preferablyas a readily usable product.

Pure methane gas, on the other hand, subjected to the direct homogeneouspartial oxidation process produces primarily formaldehyde, methanol, andethanol. Methanol is known, in the presence of certain catalysts, toundergo dehydration to DME. Furthermore, methanol is known to cleanlyseparate from a solution of higher alcohols and water under conventionaldistillation with reflux. In addition, ethanol is known to form anazeotrope with formaldehyde, allowing for the formaldehyde to remainwith the ethanol and water as a polymerization inhibited blend. Throughthis property, the composition of oxygenates created by the DHPOprocess, upon removal of methanol, is sufficient for a commercialformalin blend. In the context of a reactive distillation column,aqueous formaldehyde is separated into formaldehyde gas and liquid waterto generate an overhead product consisting of dialkyl ethers andformaldehyde gas and bottoms product composed of water.

As previously mentioned, feed gasses with a higher average molecularweight of alkane content than methane are known to produce higher carbonchain length alcohols as well as acids with correspondingly lowervolatility. Methanol is also known to form dimethyoxymethane (methylal)in an acid catalyzed reaction with methanol and formaldehyde. Inparticular, sulfonic acid polymers such as nafion® and amberlyst® cancatalyze such reactions. Other alcohols are known to form similaranalogs. Said acid catalysts are also known to esterify carboxylic acidsto esters and alcohols to ethers. This transformation eliminates thealdehyde azeotropes and increases the volatility of the mixture.

Dimethyl ether is known to be a substitute and blending additive for LPGand potentially diesel. It is also an intermediate in the synthesis ofhigher-value chemicals as well as gasoline. Dimethoxymethane as well asother dialkyl ethers exhibit similar properties with improved utility asa diesel substitute or oxygenate. Processing options include the removalof formaldehyde prior to reactive distillation. This may be achieved byreacting formaldehyde with different chemicals to produce compoundseasily separated from the liquid mixture, eg. formaldehyde may reactwith urea to produce urea-formaldehyde. In this case, alcohols areeasily separated from water and the formaldehyde-based component.Dehydration of the alcohol fraction (methanol and ethanol) wouldtherefore result in an ether blend which presents characteristics thatmake the ether blend a more attractive diesel substitute or blendingadditive than DME alone.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved methods of making blends ofethers and other partially oxygenated compounds.

SUMMARY

The present invention solves one or more problems of the prior art byproviding in at least one aspect an apparatus that uses reactivedistillation to create a mixed alkyl ether product with formaldehyde gasin the overhead and water in the bottoms. Advantageously, the blend ofethers is a value added product that may be used to make other usefulcompositions such as a diesel fuel substitute or blending additive or anLPG blending additive.

In another aspect, an apparatus that uses reactive distillation tocreate an ether such as dimethyl ether (DME), and an ester blend in theoverhead and treated water in the bottoms.

In yet another aspect, a method for forming a blend of ethers from ablend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided. The method includesa step of reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with anoxygen-containing gas in a reactor to form the first product blend. Thefirst product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds.The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided through one ormore conduits to a reactive distillation station where it is converted asecond product blend. The second product blend typically includes amixture of ethers.

In still another aspect, an apparatus for forming a blend of ethers froma blend of partially oxygenated compounds. The apparatus includes areactor for reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with anoxygen-containing gas to form first product blend. The first productblend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds. A reactivedistillation station is in fluid communication with the reactor. Thereactive distillation station receives and converts the blend ofpartially oxygenated compounds to a second product blend at the reactivedistillation station. The second product blend typically includes amixture of ethers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system for forming a blend ofethers using a reactive distillation component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 1, a process and related apparatus for convertinga blend of alcohols to a blend (i.e., a mixture) of ethers reactivedistillation. In a refinement, the apparatus functions in a continuousmanner when in operation. In a refinement, a blend of C₁₋₁₀ alcohols isconverted to a blend of C₂₋₂₀ ethers. In another refinement, a blend ofC₁₋₄ alcohols is converted to a blend of C₂₋₈ ethers. Examples ofsuitable alcohols include, but are not limited to, methanol, ethanol,propanols (e.g., n-propanol, iso-propanol), butanols (e.g., sec-butanol,tert-butanol, iso-butanol), pentanols, and combinations thereof, and thelike. Examples of ethers in the blend of ethers include, but are notlimited to, dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, methylethyl ether, dipropylether, methyl propyl ether, ethyl propyl ether, dipropyl ether, methylbutyl ether, propylbutyl ether, dibutylyether, and the like. As usedherein, butyl and propyl include all isomers of these functional groups.In a further refinement, a blend of methanol and ethanol are convertedto a blend of dimethyl ether, ethylmethyl ether, and diethyl ether. In avariation, when operating, the apparatus produces the blend of alcoholsin a continuous fashion while continuously providing (i.e., flowing) thealcohol blend to reactive distillation station 106. The blend of ethersis formed in reactive distillation station 106. The blend of alcohols isproduced by a gas-to-chemicals process in which a reactant streamincluding the hydrocarbon-containing gas composition 10 fromhydrocarbon-containing source 13 is partially oxidized by an oxygencontaining gas 11 from oxygen-containing source 15 to form first productstream 12. In a refinement, the reaction is operated at pressures fromabout 450 to 1250 psia and temperatures from about 350 to 450° C. Thehydrocarbon-containing gas composition and the oxygen containing gas areeach flowed to reactor 101. Examples of systems and methods ofperforming the partial oxidation as set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos.8,293,186; 8,202,916; 8,193,254; 7,910,787; 7,687,669; 7,642,293;7,879,296; 7,456,327; and 7,578,981; the entire disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference. In a refinement, thehydrocarbon-containing gas includes C₁₋₁₀ alkanes. In anotherrefinement, the hydrocarbon-containing gas includes an alkane selectedfrom the group consisting of methane, ethane, propanes, butanes,pentanes and combinations thereof. In another refinement, thehydrocarbon-containing gas includes an alkane selected from the groupconsisting of methane, ethane, and combinations thereof. Examples ofoxygen containing gas include molecular oxygen which may be in the formof concentrated oxygen or air.

Following partial oxidation reaction, the product stream 12 is providedto and rapidly cooled in a series of heat exchangers 103 and 104 toprevent decomposition of the produced oxygenates and for separation ofthe liquid fraction (i.e., the alcohols in the blend of alcohols).Reactor 101 is in fluid communication with heat exchangers 103 and 104.After cooling product stream 12 at the heat exchangers, the formedliquids are separated from the gas stream at separation station 102. Thegas stream is then provided to purification station 105 where aseparation process for removal of non-hydrocarbon fractions fromhydrocarbon fractions is performed. Purification station 105 may removethe non-hydrocarbon fractions by scrubbing, membrane separation,adsorption processes, cryogenic separations, or by purging a small gasfraction. The hydrocarbon fraction is then optionally recycled back tothe reactor 101 with the intent of maximizing efficiency of the process.

Liquids generated by the gas-to-chemicals process are composedpredominantly of alcohols and aldehydes, more specifically methanol,ethanol and formaldehyde. Basic separation of alcohols from a formalinsolution is performed by simple fractional distillation. These streamsmay then be subjected to further separation processes for acquiringindividual products at their desired purities. Because thegas-to-chemicals process operates at high pressures, there is no needfor re-pressurization of the liquid stream for DME synthesis.

The present embodiment advantageously uses reactive distillation station106 for conversion of the blend of alcohols to second product blendincluding ethers, and in particular, C₂₋₂₀ ethers. In a refinement, thesecond product blend includes a component selected from the groupconsisting of C₂₋₁₀ esters, methylene glycol ethers, and combinationsthereof. In a refinement, the second product blend also includesformaldehyde. Reactive distillation station 106 is in fluidcommunication with reactor 101 as well as heat exchangers 103 and 104.In particular, the present embodiment uses reactive distillation for theconversion of a methanol or a methanol/ethanol blend to dimethyl etheror an ether blend resulting from dehydration of both methanol andethanol fractions. In a refinement, in order to prevent formaldehydefrom vaporizing in the distillation column bottom, it may be beneficialto remove formaldehyde prior to reactive distillation. This may beaccomplished by using a selective scrubbing solution or a reactivescrubbing solution for either the aldehyde or alcohol fraction instation 107. In a refinement, catalyst station 107 operates at pressuresof 10 to 200 psia, more preferably 50 to 150 psia, and at temperaturesof 50 to 300° C. more preferably 150 to 25° C. In another refinement,formaldehyde hydrates may be submitted to the reactive distillationcolumn 106 together with the alcohol fraction. In still anotherrefinement, station 107 includes the reactive scrubber of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/841,975, entitled “Reactive Scrubbing forUpgrading Product Value, Simplifying Process Operation and ProductHandling” and filed Mar. 15, 2013; the entire disclosure of thisapplication is hereby incorporated by reference.

In a variation, reactive distillation station 106 includes acatalyst-packed column where reactive distillation is performed. In arefinement, the reactive distillation is operating at pressures between50 and 250 psi, preferably between 100 and 200 psi. The catalyst used inthe packed column catalyzes the conversion of alcohols to ethers. In arefinement, the catalyst is an immobilized catalyst. Examples of suchcatalysts include, but are not limited to, aluminosilicate catalysts,copper modified alumina catalyst, combinations thereof and the like. Atthese elevated pressures the boiling point of methanol is increased tothe preferred temperatures for alcohol dehydration, between 50 and 300°C. and preferably between 150 and 250° C. Temperatures may be controlledso as to dehydrate only the methanol fraction to DME, or the methanoland ethanol fraction to an ether blend. Ethers are obtained from thecolumn distillate 31 and water from the column bottoms 32 whenformaldehyde has been removed from the process stream 30 prior toreactive distillation. In a refinement, reactive distillation station106 includes one or more adiabatic reactors or Radial flow adiabaticfixed bed reactors. Examples of suitable reactive distillation stationsand adiabatic beds are commercially available from Dupont, HaldorTopsoe, and Toyo Engineering Corporation.

In certain variations, an aqueous formaldehyde solution (i.e., less than37% formaldehyde in water) or formalin is present in process stream 30,formaldehyde will exit the reactive distillation column together withthe ethers (e.g., DME or the ether blend) in the distillate 31.Therefore, in a refinement, downstream separation of DME or the etherblend from formaldehyde can then be performed for acquisition of pureproducts, as well as conversion to products of higher value.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended thatthese embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather,the words used in the specification are words of description rather thanlimitation, and it is understood that various changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may becombined to form further embodiments of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for forming a blend of ethers from ablend of partially oxygenated compounds, the method comprising: a)reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas toform first product blend in a reactor, the first product blend includinga blend of partially oxygenated compounds; b) providing the blend ofpartially oxygenated compounds to a reactive distillation stationthrough one or more conduits; and c) converting the blend of partiallyoxygenated compounds to a second product blend at the reactivedistillation station, the second product blend including a mixture ofethers.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon-containing gasincludes C₁₋₁₀ alkanes.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein thehydrocarbon-containing gas includes an alkane selected from the groupconsisting of methane, ethane, propanes, butanes, pentanes andcombinations thereof.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein thehydrocarbon-containing gas includes an alkane selected from the groupconsisting of methane, ethane, and combinations thereof.
 5. The methodof claim 1 wherein the first product blend includes C₁₋₁₀ alcohols. 6.The method of claim 5 wherein the first product blend includes analcohol selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol,propanols, butanols, pentanols and combinations thereof.
 7. The methodof claim 1 wherein the first product blend includes an alcohol selectedfrom the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, and combinationsthereof.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the second product blendincludes a mixture of C₂₋₂₀ alkyl ethers.
 9. The method of claim 8wherein the second product blend includes an ether selected from thegroup consisting of dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, methylethyl ether,dipropyl ether, methyl propyl ether, ethyl propyl ether, dipropyl ether,methyl butyl ether, propylbutyl ether, dibutylyether, and combinationsthereof.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein the second product blendincludes an ether selected from the group consisting of dimethyl ether,diethyl ether, methylethyl ether, and combinations thereof.
 11. Themethod of claim 9 wherein the second product blend includes a componentselected from the group consisting of C₂₋₁₀ esters, methylene glycolethers, and combinations thereof.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein thesecond product blend includes formaldehyde.
 13. The method of claim 12further comprising a step of separating the formaldehyde from the secondproduct blend.
 14. The method of claim 1 wherein the oxygen-containinggas comprises oxygen.
 15. The method of claim 1 wherein the reactivedistillation station includes a catalyst packed column having a catalystthat converts alcohols to ethers.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein thecatalyst is selected from the group consisting of aluminosilicatecatalysts, copper modified alumina catalyst, and combinations thereof.17. An apparatus for forming a blend of ethers from a blend of partiallyoxygenated compounds, the apparatus comprising: a) a reactor forreacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas toform first product blend, the first product blend including a blend ofpartially oxygenated compounds; b) a reactive distillation station influid communication with the reactor, the reactive distillation stationreceiving and converting the blend of partially oxygenated compounds toa second product blend at the reactive distillation station, the secondproduct blend including a mixture of ethers.
 18. The apparatus of claim17 wherein the reactive distillation station includes a catalyst packedcolumn having a catalyst that converts alcohols to ethers.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 18 wherein the catalyst is selected from the groupconsisting of aluminosilicate catalysts, copper modified aluminacatalyst, and combinations thereof.